Trafford's Trading Club

724: Chapter 137: Is There Such a Life?

(1) 724: Chapter 137: Is There Such a Life?

(1) Luo Qiu had never learned to write with a brush, and as for the Maid, she of course had never learned to grind ink sticks before.

However, the Maid had beautiful penmanship.

Even though he hadn’t learned it, after picking up the brush and casually writing a few words on the white paper, Luo Qiu gradually got the hang of it.

This almost dimension-leaping skill improvement would probably anger the so-called calligraphy masters—even though it’s just a small ability as a club boss.

Of course, with Boss Luo’s personality, he wouldn’t boast to anyone about his newfound skill with the brush.

The reason for mentioning the brush was merely to add another chapter to the unfinished story of the young Mrs.

Witch.

“Strong, optimistic, cheerful, hmm…” Boss Luo raised the brush and halted in the blank space of the young Mrs.

Witch’s book where stories were written, hesitating to proceed.

Actually, this story should ideally be finished by the young Mrs.

Witch herself.

Because Luo Qiu felt that even if he completed it himself, it would always feel like a poor continuation.

This level of imagination and creation of stories in the heart was beyond his abilities.

But this was a transaction, after all.

Whatever the customer bought, the club would sell.

“Actually, in school, my essays were pretty bad; I’d often stray from the topic,” Boss Luo suddenly chuckled.

“Especially in high school, when the final essay topics heavily favored argumentative essays, which I was even worse at.”

You Ye was momentarily stunned, not knowing why her master suddenly brought this up.

Boss Luo just chuckled, then moved the brush in his hand, finally starting to write some words in the blank space.

[Jealousy and admiration stemming from one’s actions yet unnoticed by others, as seen by Nagato Saburo, seem endless.

However, with the changing times and the vicissitudes of life, a few years of military life were not as glamorous as imagined.

The heavy difficulties and comrades’ blood on the battlefield, the shroud of horse leather, made Nagato Saburo aware of his immaturity, causing him to become disheartened and weary of the world.

Still, he was always concerned about his wife at home, Narukami Haru, and his daughter Nagato Tsuruko, and thus gradually became despondent.]

[In winter, news of a great victory from the front lines came, greatly boosting morale in Nagato Saburo’s regiment, leading to repeated victories; within just two months, they captured the enemy’s main mountain stronghold, securing a dominant position in subsequent battles.

This was a prime opportunity to establish merit and attain success; however, Nagato Saburo had grown weary of military life, having witnessed the cruelty of war, and no longer wished to kill.

Therefore, using his injuries as an excuse, he requested to withdraw from the front line.

Yet, over the years, he had accumulated quite a number of battle accolades.

Even in this moment of retreat, he managed to exchange his service record for a true Samurai title.

“Let’s go home,” Nagato Saburo stood on the wall of the now-conquered mountain fortress, looking towards the direction of the rising sun, where his home lay, the Nagato House.

Where his wife, Narukami Haru, was.

Perhaps living a simple life was not bad after all; the delicacies at the victory banquet evoked memories of Nagato House’s peaceful meals in Zaodao Village, which turned out to be far better.]

[Spring arrived again; Samurai appreciated watching cherry blossoms fall with beauty in mind.

At this time, the great army set out once more, while Nagato Saburo quietly left.

He thought that if he took slight detours along the way, he should make it back to Zaodao Village in time for the last day of cherry blossom viewing.

Of course, before returning, he sent a letter home, explaining his current situation and date of return.]

[Upon receiving Nagato Saburo’s letter sent from the front line, the Nagato family was indeed overjoyed.

At that time, Nagato Tsuruko had grown older and could learn alongside Nagato Shinji.

Nagato Tsuruko was clever from a young age, not inferior to Nagato Shinji, beloved by their Teaching Master.

But Nagato Tsuruko still often sneaked out when no one was around, each time gathering a group of young kids to climb the steps to the Shrine under the guise of training, though everyone knew such training was useless for girls.

As was said, after all, girls were still inferior to boys.

After the New Year and with the return of spring, Nagato Saburo safely returned to Zaodao Village, but Nagato Tsuruko didn’t tell Nagato Saburo that she could now climb to the mountain Shrine by her ability alone.

That wish ultimately could not be fulfilled—because she still could not climb up.]

Putting down the brush, the Maid ground new ink for her master.

After Luo Qiu saw that the ink had dried, he turned to a new blank page.

Outside the Shrine, however, lightning flashed, flames surged, and the fox spirit-turned Nagato Tsuruko faced off with the young Mrs.

Witch who also harbored Miki.

The boss glanced around, then began to write again.

[On this day, to celebrate Nagato Saburo’s return, the Nagato family prepared to go cherry blossom viewing…]

…

…

At that time, after reasonably subduing the fox spirit of Zaodao Village, an Onmyoji from the same company took away the fox spirit’s soul.

This Onmyoji was named Narukami, from an ancient Onmyoji school.

Yet, with the ever-changing world, even the mightiest figures seem to have a day of turning to dust.

The descendants of Narukami did not inherit the powerful spiritual power of their ancestors, and the Onmyoji of the Narukami Style gradually declined.

The last descendant was named Narukami Haru.

It was said that Zaodao Village’s Shrine had ties to the Narukami Style.

After subduing the fox spirit, the Shrine of Zaodao was built with the help of an Onmyoji of the Narukami Style.

Later, the Narukami Style offended enemies, leading to their annihilation, leaving only the lone descendant Narukami Haru, who was saved and taken in by Zaodao’s Mrs.

Witch.

The last descendant of the Narukami Household still did not inherit the powerful spiritual power of their ancestors.

However, a seal of the fox spirit was on Narukami Haru’s body—unable to inherit the spiritual power of their ancestors, the descendants of Narukami Household took a risky path, sealing the potent fox spirit’s spirit within a descendant, hoping to harness the fox’s power to revive the Narukami Household’s glory.

Nevertheless, the world is always so disappointing.

Nagato Munachika, extraordinarily devoted to power, learned of all this…

If the sealed soul of the fox spirit within Narukami Haru, and the fox’s heart housed within the Nagato family, were all gathered to create a powerful individual, wouldn’t that be possible?

The key is, such a descendant would be of the Nagato Clan!

“I hate the Nagato House!” Nagato Tsuruko, turned fox and red-eyed, glared at the young Mrs.

Witch, unleashing a storm-like barrage, “Especially Nagato Saburo!

That incompetent, cowardly, selfish man who even sold out his own wife!”

The young witch shook her head.

Without accepting Miki, her pure spiritual power had a strong restraining effect on the monsters, but ultimately she couldn’t match the power of the fox-transformed Nagato Tsuruko.

However, after accepting Miki, her pure spiritual power naturally became polluted and mutated, leading to her own transformation into a fox.

Although her power now matched the other’s, neither could overcome the other…

She knew this situation would arise, but she still chose to let it happen.

“At six years old, I didn’t have the ability to protect you.” The young witch looked up and stepped forward.

——[On this day, to celebrate the return of Nagato Saburo, the Nagato House prepared to go cherry blossom viewing.

Nagato Saburo began to recount some of his dangerous experiences on the battlefield, causing Nagato Tsuruko to nervously clutch her mother Narukami Haru’s sleeve when he spoke of the terrifying parts.

Yet despite the fear, Nagato Tsuruko’s gaze gradually turned to admiration.

Zaodao Village is a very remote village, and there were originally few men willing to go to war.

Those with ambitions were likely only the men of the Nagato House who inherited the blood of the samurai.

From an early age, Nagato Tsuruko envied the village children whose parents were always by their side.

She sometimes wondered if Nagato Saburo hadn’t been deployed, perhaps he would have already started teaching her the Nagato House’s swordsmanship?

When she saw Brother Shinji learning swordsmanship with Nagato Munachika, she also had the urge to learn.

However, despite Uncle Nagato Munachika being relatively open-minded, he was still reluctant to teach the family’s ancestral swordsmanship to a girl.]

——[Children’s imaginations and thoughts are always a bit simpler.]

——[“Father, I want to learn swordsmanship, can you teach me?”]

——[At the gathering, Nagato Tsuruko bravely voiced what was on her mind, drawing the eyes of everyone.

Narukami Haru patted Nagato Tsuruko’s hair, looked at her husband Nagato Saburo, and smiled as she said, “This child learning swordsmanship might end up being the leader of the village children.

You shouldn’t agree to it.”]

——[Nagato Saburo looked at Nagato Tsuruko with some amusement.

When he deployed that year, Narukami Haru was just newly pregnant with this child, and he felt he had neglected her by not being there for her birth and afterward.

Curious, he asked, “You want to learn swordsmanship, have you ever held a wooden sword?”]

——[Nagato Tsuruko slyly glanced at Nagato Shinji, who was watching the cherry blossoms and said proudly, “I’ve held it!

I’ve used Brother Shinji’s practice wooden sword!”]

——[“When did this happen?” Nagato Shinji’s face immediately turned dark.

A samurai’s sword is the equivalent of his life; how could it be casually taken for play?

Even if it was just a wooden sword…

He glanced fearfully at his father, Nagato Munachika.

While his father was gentle with everyone, he was always strict with him.]

——[Nagato Munachika didn’t comment, but looked curiously at Nagato Tsuruko, suddenly smiling as he asked, “And how did you feel when you held Shinji’s wooden sword?”]

——[Nagato Tsuruko made a few motions and said with a childish voice, “It’s easy!

Tsuruko can do it!

Uncle, can you teach me swordsmanship too?

I want to grow up and achieve great things, just like my father!”]

——[“Hahaha!”]

——[Everyone laughed, brushing it off as a child’s innocent words.]

——[Nagato Saburo quickly stopped laughing, patted Nagato Tsuruko’s head, and said, “I can teach you swordsmanship.

But before learning, you must promise me one condition.

Will you agree?”]

——[“Father, please tell me!”]

——[“Don’t steal Shinji’s wooden sword anymore.

I will personally prepare a suitable sword for you.”]

——[That summer, Nagato Saburo cut fresh bamboo into thin strips and tied them to form a practice sword for Nagato Tsuruko.

The bamboo sword had no sharp edge whatsoever; even if it hit someone, it was like being hit with a stick.

Nagato Tsuruko didn’t mind.

Every day, she carried the bamboo sword personally made by Nagato Saburo and, joined by Ah Xiu, truly became the leader of the village’s children, just as Narukami Haru had said.]

“Protect?

What a joke!”

The fox-transformed Nagato Tsuruko seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, pointing at the young witch, chuckling coldly, “How do you intend to protect me?

With your cowardice of refusing to accept your own true power!

You are unworthy!

Even though you, too, have transformed into a fox now, willing to use this power, can you really pretend that nothing ever happened?

Impossible!

You were the one who abandoned me back then!

I say, you are inherently a selfish person to the extreme!

Just because you wanted an easy life back then, you severed me, ignoring all my perceptions!

How many times!

How many times have I lingered by your side, wishing you would look at me!

Even if you glanced, could you see anything!

And what is this now?

Accompanying me in fox transformation, does that mean you have forgiven yourself?

Or are you pitying me…

pitying yourself?

And all this, it’s your own making!”

“Only Lord Arex truly needs me!” The fox Tsuruko said as the blue fox fire on her body flared up, “Only Lord Arex truly cares about me!

He is not afraid of me!

He taught me how to control my power!

He showed me the weakness of humans!

In terms of growth, what qualification do you have, hiding in the shrine and only burying your head in books!

What growth do you have?

You are merely swept up in the moment, thinking you can!

But after that, you’ll once again…

once again do what you’ve done before!”

“Perhaps…” The young witch nodded slightly, then frowned and said, “Is Arex the one behind the scenes who caused all this…

mess?”

“You need not know!” The fox Tsuruko screamed, “Between you and me, there is no more connection!

From now on, I am just Miki—the name Lord Arex gave me!

The name Nagato Tsuruko, I return to you!”

The young witch furrowed her brows, sighed gently, and suddenly didn’t know what her end should be.

She glanced around her but felt the gaze of someone watching her.

On the ground, a silver-haired demi-demon youth in a red robe also looked at her.

“Inuyasha…”